Geology & Landscape | Soils | Plants | Animals | Scenic Quality Cultural Environment | Sites of Interest | Topics & Habitats

This District is divided into two sub-Districts:
(a) Waughs River
(b) French River

Geology and Landscape Development
At the margins of the Cobequid Hills and the Pictou-Antigonish Highlands in Pictou County are foothills which lie between the uplifted plateaus and the relatively undisturbed surrounding lowlands (see Figure 18). Kame fields and esker systems are evident in the landscape. The two main areas are Waughs River (sub-District 320a) and French River (sub-District 320b).

Waughs River (sub-District 320a)

Drysdale Falls Click to enlarge

East of Warwick Mountain on the north side of the Cobequid Hills are a number of small faults which lie broadly parallel to the Cobequid Fault. These create a series of slices at the margin of the upland, and these slices form dissected steps down to the Northumberland Plain (see Figure 9). Numerous rivers and streams create attractive and varied hill and valley topography.

French River (sub-District 320b)
The north and west margins of the Pictou-Antigonish Highlands are broken into numerous blocks by two sets of faults running north-south and east-west. Strata of varying hardness have been juxtaposed and the area has been dissected by many streams and rivers. The landscape is hilly with steep narrow valleys occupied by branches of the French River.

Soils
In both parts of this District the soils reflect the contributions of both varied bedrock and Carboniferous glacial material brought in from the north.

Waughs River (sub-District 320a)
Well-drained Cobequid soils derived mainly from granitic materials occur at the higher elevations. In the Pictou County part of the sub-District, Westbrook soils (well-drained loam) have developed from a gravelly loam till which was derived from Carboniferous conglomerates of the Horton Group. In Colchester County, Wyvern soils, which are similar to Cobequid soils, have developed on granite-rich tills.

French River (sub-District 320b)
Thom and Cobequid soils (typical highland soils) again occur at higher elevations. Elsewhere Barney soils (well-drained loam) have developed on shaly clay loams derived from Silurian shales.

Plants
Mixed forest covers most of this District, with hardwood stands on well-drained ridges. Balsam Fir, Red Spruce, White Spruce, Red Maple, and birch are the common trees.

Animals
This District shares many of the faunal characteristics of the Cobequid Hills (Unit 311). Brown Trout and Brook Trout are common fish species in the smaller tributaries that feed the French and Waugh rivers.

Scenic Quality
When compared with District 310, scenery is often less spectacular but more intimate and varied. The many hills, knolls, and small river valleys, combined with more frequent evidence of human settlement (roads, farms, and small clearings), add much variety and interest. Scenic ratings vary from medium to moderately high. Particularly attractive are the valleys of MacKays Brook and Waughs River (sub-District 320a), Barneys River, West Barneys River, and the East French River (sub-District 320b). Numerous viewpoints from the roads travelling down to Tatamagouche provide vistas of the slopes and the plain beyond.

Cultural Environment

Waughs River (sub-District 320a)
Forestry characterizes land use. Scots settled in these upland areas, later abandoning some settlements. Waterways were utilized downstream to power grist mills such as the Balmoral Mill, which is now a museum site.

French River (sub-District 320b)
The dominant land use in this area is woodland management. Sparse settlement occurs along river intervales.

Sites of Special Interest

• Four Mile Brook near Tatamagouche Mountain - waterfall
• Balmoral Mills - picnic park and historic site (Grist Mill)

Provincial Parks and Park Reserves

Proposed Parks and Protected Areas System includes Natural Landscape 42.

Associated Topics T2.2 The Avalon and Meguma Zones T3.4 Terrestrial Glacial Deposits and Landscape Features T12.10 Plants and Resources

Associated Habitats H6.3 Mixedwood Forest (Spruce, Fir, Pine-Maple, Birch Association)